[eDebate] Meeting/Participation Concerns

[Adam Farra]

I think Candice's attempts are noble and in good-faith, but I would  
have to say that I'm not too sure about the "post-election" reforms  
as really solving the problem that Gabe et. al. have cited.

Most importantly, I think that when Gabe talks about the lack of  
student representation he is talking about a pretty specific problem  
with this year's elections: that the elections only represented 15-20  
students in an activity where, at the NDT alone, there are over 170  
(pretty sure).

I want to be clear on this: I don't know Candice very well, and from  
what I've read she seems like a noble candidate, so this is not a  
criticism of her, but of the skewed system of elections. The question  
of student participation is one that must be addressed first with  
student elections - indeed, the inclusion of MORE students (or at  
least a population that is somewhat representative of the population)  
in the election of the student representative is a pre-requisite to  
the general reforms of the "structures" that allow student  
participation in the topic process, the community's rules, etc.

Is there some way to do another election? Maybe at the NDT? Maybe  
online? Maybe...through e-mail ballots?? This would probably  
dramatically increase the amount of students voting - and it even  
lets students who could not go to CEDA (like me for school reasons)  
be more invested in their community general through participating in  
the election process.

And, seriously, I don't think Candice is a bad person - I think  
everything she's said is intelligent, but I really do think that  
15-20 students voting for a population of 300 or some is  
just...well...it's BS, frankly.

Adam

On Mar 31, 2007, at 1:11 PM, candice moore wrote:


> I am very sorry that some of the students who wanted to attend the  

> Student Rep Meeting and the Elections were not able to go due to  

> travel issues or any other issue hindering them from attending both  

> of these very important meetings. I will make sure in the future  

> that we post the times and rooms reserved for these meetings more  

> than they were this year as well as having the National Student Rep  

> post as well. I understand that there was some confusion as to  

> where the first meeting was held and that the time of the second  

> meeting should of been held later than I already did that evening.  

> I would have also delayed the meetings if I knew that more than  

> three schools at the time of registration had notified someone from  

> CEDA of their travel issues. I also tried to prolong these meeting  

> as much as I could so maybe that some people could still attend.  

> Because of those reasons I thought having a blog would be a great  

> idea so that the students who could not represent themselves in  

> person could write about their ideas or opinions and discuss it. I  

> think that what Gabe had to say about the 15-20 persons  

> representing the students not being adequate to the size of the  

> community is a BIG example as to how we need to start getting out  

> into the community and having more participation. I wouldn't blame  

> travel issues to the only reason we have a lack of students  

> participation but also take into consideration that the students  

> that I heard speak out at the Student Meeting said that they didn't  

> have a lot of information about any of the roles we are elected  

> for. That is why I am in the process of making a handbook on the  

> duties or roles that a Student Rep., National Student Rep., and a  

> Topic Comm. Rep. will perform during their terms. I am making sure  

> that we do not have these problems or issues anymore. I am also  

> trying to do more with the roles we are elected into and really  

> show the community that a students voice does matter. I think a big  

> question we should be asking ourselves is how do we get more  

> participation with an activity we all love and respect? How do we  

> show the community we care about their ideas and opinions no matter  

> what they are? The only thing I can say is start talking to  

> everyone about what should happen and then act on it and make sure  

> you have a Student Rep. elected in your area. Also start using the  

> blog as a non-biased forum to express your opinions. Again I am  

> sorry that some students couldn't attend the meetings and will make  

> sure that the National Student Rep. next year will take the extra  

> step to make sure all our voices are heard.

>

> Thanks for the responses and ideas for a better future,

> Candice Moore

> National Student Rep. 2006-2007

>

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